Customs and Border Protection Logo
Position Title
Customs and Border Protection Officer
Agency
Customs and Border Protection
Announcement Number
CBPO GS9 24-9 Opens in new window
Open Period
Saturday, June 1, 2024 to Sunday, June 30, 2024
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
Pursuant to Public Law 110-161, this position is covered under enhanced retirement provisions for Customs and Border Protection Officers which allows for the imposition of a maximum age requirement. In accordance with Department of Homeland Security Directive 251-08, the "day before an individual's 40th birthday" is the maximum age for original appointment to a position as a Customs and Border Protection Officer. Creditable law enforcement officer service covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C 8412(d), or Customs and Border Protection Officer service under Public Law 110-161 may be applied toward the maximum age requirement.

This age restriction may not apply if you are currently serving as a CBP Officer covered by Public Law 110-161.

Veterans' Preference Eligibility: To ensure compliance with statutes pertaining to the appointment of preference eligible Veterans as determined by the Merit Systems Protection Board in its decision of Isabella v. Dept. of State, the maximum age for original appointment articulated above shall not apply to the hiring of individuals entitled to Veterans' Preference eligibility under 5 U.S.C. § 3312. (limit characters)
1. This position has an age requirement. Enter or select your date of birth. (limit characters)
2. If you are claiming an age waiver based on Federal law enforcement service; you must submit copies of your SF-50s (Notice of Personnel Actions) reflecting the beginning and end of creditable Federal civilian (not military) service under Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c), title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d), or creditable service covered by Public Law 110-161. Block 30 of your SF-50 should indicate Retirement Code M or O. If you do not meet the age requirement and you are unable to provide this required documentation, you will not receive consideration under this announcement.

If you are claiming an age waiver based on Veterans' Preference, submit the required Veterans' Preference documents. Military law enforcement and Transportation Security Officers (TSO) working for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are not considered law enforcement covered positions for the purpose of this announcement.

Have you ever worked for the Federal government in a civilian law enforcement position where you were under law enforcement retirement coverage? (limit characters)
3. Enter the number of MONTHS of Federal service experience you have attained as a firefighter, law enforcement or air traffic controller. (limit characters)
4. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
5. Are you a current federal employee who has received notice that you will be displaced from the Department of Homeland Security? If yes, confirm:
  • You occupy a position located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND
  • You are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND
  • You are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you will be separated; AND
  • Your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation to validate your claim of CTAP eligibility, such as:
  • Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice, AND
  • Copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
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6. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency? If yes, confirm:
  • You occupy (or have been separated from) a position located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND
  • You are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND
  • Your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation to validate your claim of ICTAP eligibility, such as:
  • Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice, AND
  • Copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
 (limit characters)
Preferences
1. Duty locations are determined based on operational needs and mission requirements as determined by the CBP Office of Field Operations once an applicant successfully completes pre-employment. Current CBP Officers looking for lateral opportunities within the Office of Field Operations should apply under the National Reassignment Opportunity Bulletin (NROB), Lateral Reassignment Opportunity Bulletin (LROB) and/or other reassignment opportunities identified in the National Collective Bargaining Agreement (NCBA).

The duty locations offered to you may include any geographic location within the United States that meets agency mission critical needs.

Select your preferred duty location from the list below. (limit characters)
2. Applicants who receive a tentative offer of employment must successfully complete a polygraph examination. Provided below is a list of locations where polygraph examinations are offered. Please select the location where you prefer to complete your polygraph examination. CBP will do its best to schedule you at your preferred location. However, you may be required to travel to attend the polygraph. CBP will not reimburse you for travel to or from the polygraph site. You will be contacted by the Office of Professional Responsibility to schedule the required polygraph examination. (limit characters)
3. Applicants are highly encouraged to "Opt-in" for text message reminders!
For applicants who receive a tentative selection offer from Customs and Border Protection, the CBP Hiring Center is offering text messaging reminders. This service will provide you with helpful reminders of scheduled appointments as you move through the pre-employment process. All automated messages are programmed to remind applicants of upcoming appointments (i.e., medical appointment, fitness test reminder, etc.) approximately 3-days out from the appointment dates. Text messaging will not replace any form of official communication, but is intended solely as an added service to reinforce communication.

You may choose to "Opt-in" for this customer service option. Based on conditions set by your mobile carrier, standard text messaging rates may apply which will not be reimbursed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Please check with your carrier to address any potential costs to you to ensure receiving text messaging is an option available to you based on the terms of your service contract. Some carriers may also block incoming "fee generating" text messages or messages from outlying sources and some messages may appear truncated based on limitations imposed by your carrier. Current system constraints with some carriers may not support text messaging service. If you choose to opt-in at this time, you may elect to discontinue this service later by contacting the CBP Hiring Center.

Please select your carrier below. If you do not wish to "Opt In" for text messaging reminders, please choose the last option. (limit characters)
4. If you opted in for text messaging reminders, please add you cell phone number below in this format: xxx-xxx-xxxx

If you did not opt in for text messaging reminders, please enter N/A below. (limit characters)
5. How did you first hear about this position? (limit characters)
6. Did you participate in a CBP student or internship program? (limit characters)
Assessment 1
1. The following question will be used to determine whether or not you meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position. You may wish to consult the vacancy announcement for a description of those requirements. Eligibility will be verified based on your resume and transcripts.

Full-time work experience is 35 or more hours worked per week and must be clearly stated on your resume.


GS-9 - Which of the following statements best describes your experience and/or education? (limit characters)
2. Are you a current or former Federal Employee? (limit characters)
3. What is your current position title and grade? Enter "n/a" if you are not a current federal employee. (limit characters)
4. Have you been at your current grade for 52 weeks or more? (limit characters)
5. Qualifications based on work experience will be determined by what is listed on your resume. Work experience refers to both paid and unpaid experience, such as volunteer work.

Your resume must:
  • Be written in English
  • Include full legal name
  • Address
  • Phone number
  • Complete work history (which includes job titles)
  • Detailed description of your duties (including tasks performed)
  • The dates you performed those duties (MM/DD/YY - MM/DD/YY)
  • Hours worked per week for any position you worked that was not full time (less than 35 hours per week)
  • Current or former Federal employees please include your salary, pay scale and pay grade

Do you agree to provide a resume that contains the necessary requirements listed in the instructions above? (limit characters)
The following questions will be used to rate applicants who meet the minimum eligibility and qualification requirements. (limit characters)
6. Select the choice which best describes your experience communicating with the public while working in a law enforcement role.
 (limit characters)
7. Indicate your highest level of experience observing individuals to assess their risk for terrorism, criminal activity, or status violations.
 (limit characters)
8. Select the option that describes your highest level of experience examining official personal identification documents (e.g., Driver's licenses, birth certificates) for authenticity.
 (limit characters)
9. Choose the response that describes your highest level of experience using information from automated law enforcement systems to identify subjects and vehicles.
 (limit characters)
10. Have you worked in a law enforcement position that required adherence to a stringent Code of Conduct?
 (limit characters)
11. Which response best describes your experience identifying terrorism risks (e.g., suspicious packages, recent travel to high risk countries)?
 (limit characters)
12. Indicate the extent of your experience responding to emergency situations (e.g., active shooter, fleeing subjects) in a law enforcement capacity.
 (limit characters)
13. Select the response that best describes your experience using techniques to detect inconsistent information during interviews.
 (limit characters)
14. Indicate the extent of your experience identifying contraband (e.g., narcotics, weapons).
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15. Select the response that best describes your experience using behavioral analysis.
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16. Indicate the extent of your experience conducting law enforcement interviews of suspects or witnesses.
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Assessment 2
1. The CBP Officer position requires the successful completion of the following pre-employment requirements:
  • Polygraph examination
  • Background investigation
  • Fitness test
  • Medical examination
  • Structured interview
  • Drug test
If you are not willing to complete these requirements then the agency recommends you exit the online job application and not proceed further.

Are you willing to complete the above pre-employment requirements? (limit characters)
2. If you have received a tentative selection letter and are currently in the pre-employment process for an entry level CBP Officer position at any grade (GS-5, 7 or 9), all active pre-employment process statuses will be applied to this application (e.g., medical status, background investigation, etc.).

Do you want to continue with your application? (limit characters)
3. Are you a current Customs and Border Protection (CBP) employee? (limit characters)
4. Are you a current CBP Law Enforcement Officer (i.e., BPA, CBPO, AIA, MIA)? (limit characters)
5.
If you are a current CBP Employee seeking reassignment to another duty location or law enforcement officer (LEO) position we encourage you to request a lateral reassignment or apply to an internal merit promotion announcement rather than applying to this announcement.

NOTE: Applying to and accepting a job offer under this announcement will require you to accept the grade level of the announcement which might require a change to lower grade action. If you are a current GS-12 step 1 your salary may be reduced to a GS-9 step 10. Re-promotion is not guaranteed. Timeframes and grade level re-promotion is at the discretion of the agency and may be subject to a probationary period. If you are currently receiving a retirement annuity from OPM based on retiring from the Federal government and you are selected for this position, please note that your Federal salary will be off-set by the amount of your retirement annuity.

Do you want to continue with the entry level hiring process? (limit characters)
6. During the last 5 years have you ever been fired from a job; quit after being told you would be fired or left a job by mutual agreement because of specific problems? (limit characters)
7. During the last 5 years have you ever been terminated or removed from Federal employment? (limit characters)
The Anti-Border Corruption Act of 2010 requires all job applicants for law enforcement positions at U.S. Customs & Border Protection receive a polygraph examination and a background investigation before being offered employment. Please read the following questions and answers carefully! (limit characters)
8. Are you willing to undergo a polygraph examination for this position? (limit characters)
9. Have you taken and FAILED a CBP polygraph examination within the last two years? (limit characters)
PENALTIES FOR INACCURATE OR FALSE STATEMENTS: The U.S. Criminal Code (title 18, section 1001) provides that knowingly falsifying or concealing a material fact is a felony which may result in fines and/or up to five (5) years imprisonment. In addition, Federal agencies generally fire, do not grant a security clearance to, or disqualify individuals who have materially and deliberately falsified these forms. Such actions remain a part of the permanent record for future placements. Your prospects of placement or security clearance are better if you answer all questions truthfully and completely. (limit characters)
10. Are you willing to undergo a background investigation for this position? (limit characters)
FIREARM REQUIREMENT: This position requires that the incumbent meet initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms as outlined in the Gun Control Act of 1968, amended by the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996. An applicant whose background includes any of the following will be ineligible for consideration: 1) convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year; 2) has any outstanding warrants or is a fugitive from justice; 3) unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance; 4) adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to a mental institution; 5) illegally or unlawfully in the United States; 6) renounced U. S. citizenship; 7) subject to a court-ordered restraining (protection) order from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner (spouse, former spouse, parent of applicant's child, individual who cohabitates or has cohabitated with the applicant), or child; or 8) convicted under Federal, State, or Tribal Court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence against an intimate partner or child.
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11. Conviction under Federal, State, or Tribal Court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence against an intimate partner or child is disqualifying. An intimate partner means, with respect to a person, the spouse of the person, a former spouse of the person, an individual who is a parent of a child of the person, an individual who cohabitates or has cohabited with the person. Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence against an intimate partner or a child? (limit characters)
12. Are you the subject of any Federal, State, or Tribal court-ordered restraining (protection) order? (limit characters)
13. Are you the subject of any Federal, State, or Tribal court-ordered restraining (protection) order for domestic abuse, including harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or a child? (limit characters)
14. Have you ever been arrested/charged with a crime of domestic violence that did not result in a conviction?
 (limit characters)
15. Have you ever been convicted of a felony or crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year?
 (limit characters)
16. Have you ever lost your right to possess a firearm for any reason under Federal law?
 (limit characters)
17. Are you currently delinquent on any debt for 90 days or more (e.g., credit cards, mortgage loans, taxes, overpayment of benefits, Federal guaranteed student loans, and/or commercial loans)? (limit characters)
18. Have you used (including injecting, snorting, inhaling, swallowing, etc.), experimented with, received, purchased, transferred, or distributed other Schedule I-V controlled substance? Examples of controlled substances include cocaine or crack cocaine (e.g, rock, freebase, etc.), hallucinogenics (e.g, LSD, PCP, mushrooms, peyote, mescaline, etc.), ketamine (e.g., special K, jet, etc.), narcotics (e.g., opium, heroin, etc.), stimulants (e.g., speed, crystal meth, ecstasy, etc.), or inhalants (e.g., toluene, amyl nitrate, whippets, etc.). Drug usage information will be taken into consideration during the background investigation. (limit characters)
19. CBP is committed to a drug-free workplace. This position requires drug testing as part of the pre-employment process and also requires random drug testing after you enter on duty.

Note: Several states now allow recreational and medicinal use of marijuana. However, CBP does not permit the use of marijuana as it is still an illegal drug per federal law.

By submitting this application, I acknowledge and understand that I have to successfully pass a drug test during the pre-employment process and that the Agency will remove me from consideration if I do not successfully pass the drug test.  Additionally should I enter on duty as an employee I will be required to participate in random drug testing in accordance with the Agency's drug-free workplace policy. 
 (limit characters)
20. Prior to your 18th birthday did you enter the U.S. illegally and subsequently initiate action to obtain legal status within 24 months after reaching age 18?
 (limit characters)
21. After the age of 18, did you ever enter the U.S. illegally, use fraudulent or counterfeit documents to enter the U.S., or intentionally overstay an authorized period of admission to reside, work, or attend school in the U.S. without legal immigration status?
 (limit characters)
22. Have you ever been removed or deported from the U.S. prior to the age of 18?
 (limit characters)
23. Have you ever been removed or deported from the U.S. after the age of 18?
 (limit characters)
24. Have you ever failed to declare merchandise or funds as required by customs laws?
 (limit characters)
25. Are you currently married to or living with any person(s) illegally residing in the U.S.?
 (limit characters)
26. Did you knowingly marry an undocumented noncitizen for the sole purpose of that individual obtaining legal immigration status? (limit characters)
27. Did you knowingly marry a U.S. citizen for the sole purpose of obtaining legal immigration status?
 (limit characters)
28. Have you ever intentionally harbored, concealed, transported, or employed an undocumented noncitizen(s)? (limit characters)
29. Have you ever kidnapped or imprisoned an individual against his or her will?
 (limit characters)
30. Have you ever been convicted of any crime involving identity theft or the fraudulent use of a credit card including buying, selling, manufacturing, stealing or fraudulently using credit cards to obtain something of value? (limit characters)
31. Have you participated in any act that involved theft of a vehicle or the use of a vehicle without the owner's consent, including riding as a passenger in a stolen vehicle or in a vehicle being used without the owner's consent?
 (limit characters)
32. Have you received property which you knew was stolen?
 (limit characters)
33. Have you been a member of, had an affiliation with, assisted, or promoted any street gang, group, or organization that advocates or espouses any form of racism or illegal activities?
 (limit characters)
34. Have you engaged in sexual abuse in a prison, jail, holding facility, community confinement facility, juvenile facility, or other institution as defined in 42 U.S.C. 1997?
 (limit characters)
35. Have you been convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or where the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse, or have you been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in such activity?
 (limit characters)
Assessment 3
1. The Customs and Border Protection Officer position has medical qualification standards to ensure those tasked with the position's responsibilities are medically, physically and mentally capable of performing the essential tasks and job functions in an efficient and safe manner without endangering the health and safety of co-workers, the public, or oneself as this is a weapons-carrying position.

CBP will schedule, provide, and pay for the required basic medical examination. If medical information is recommended beyond the pre-placement examination, it is provided at the candidate's expense.

I understand that if I receive a tentative selection, I will be required to meet the medical requirements and if travel is necessary to complete the medical screening or a medical follow up is required, I may incur additional expenses. (limit characters)
2. Due to the strenuous nature of the CBP Officer duties and the associated training programs, fitness test have been developed and may be used to screen candidates for entry-level CBP Officer positions. Candidates may be required to pass the pre-employment fitness test.

We encourage applicants to engage in regular physical exercise and practice the Physical Fitness Test (PFT) requirements. Once on board, employees will also be required to complete a physically rigorous training program conducted at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.

I understand that if I receive a tentative selection, I will be required to meet the physical fitness requirements and if travel is necessary to complete the fitness screening, I may incur additional expenses. (limit characters)
3. Will you comply with the following pre-employment requirements?
  • Undergo and successfully pass a pre-employment drug-screening test
  • Undergo a comprehensive medical examination to determine fitness for employment in U.S. Customs and Border Protection
  • Undergo a physical fitness test to determine fitness for employment in U.S. Customs and Border Protection
 (limit characters)
New recruits to the position of CBP Officer receive extensive training before beginning official duties. You will now be asked a series of questions with the understanding that you will be trained before assuming official duty as a CBP Officer. These questions represent some, but not all, of the essential functions of the Customs and Border Protection Officer occupation. (limit characters)
4. Will you comply with the following on the job requirements and/or conditions?
  • Qualify with and maintain proficiency in the use of firearms
  • Be exposed to people who carry infectious diseases
  • Potentially be assigned to small, remote locations or large metropolitan areas in which there are people whose cultures are significantly different from their own
  • Enforce all Federal laws without exception regardless of your personal feelings about these laws and regulations
  • Conduct personal searches of individuals who are members of your own sex
  • Be exposed to all kinds of weather and environmental conditions, such as contact with potentially harmful substances (hazardous materials), vehicle exhaust fumes, and slippery surfaces; Employees will be provided appropriate personal protective equipment for all of these conditions
  • Engage in strenuous physical exertion, such as heavy lifting, crouching or crawling in restricted areas, climbing, and running
  • Occasionally travel for conferences, training, or special operations
  • Arrest or assist in the arrest of individuals in violation of law(s); may also be required to testify under oath to the circumstances of the arrest
  • Be willing to work with others on a professional basis, with mutual respect, regardless of racial, cultural, religious, political or other differences
  • Be required to serve a probationary period or trial period in accordance with the Department of Homeland Security policy and the Office of Personnel Management regulations. Refer to the job announcement for more information.
  • Attend and successfully complete an approximately 20-week training program (class varies in length) that includes certain physical training requirements as well as a required proficiency in the use of designated firearms, and training in the technical and legal aspects of the job; If appointed in a location that requires Spanish language ability, candidates must attend and pass an online Spanish training program
  • Submit to random drug testing after employment
  • Certify that you will have a valid driver's license at the time of your appointment as a CBP Officer and that you are not prohibited from obtaining a valid driver's license in the United States
 (limit characters)
5. Do you feel you would be able and willing to use deadly force (e.g., use your firearm) if you found yourself in a "life threatening" situation, to protect your life, the lives of fellow officers, or the lives of innocent bystanders? (limit characters)
6. CBP Officers are required to wear a prescribed uniform and to comply with established grooming standards. For additional information on the established grooming standards, please refer to the job announcement.

Will you comply with these requirements? (limit characters)
7. As indicated in the job announcement, CBP operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is critical to our mission of protecting our nation's borders and citizenry that CBP Officers be available for work at any time their presence and skills are required. Therefore, it is a condition of employment that all Customs and Border Protection Officers comply with this requirement, to be available as part of their regular work schedule on weekend, evenings and nights, holidays and unscheduled overtime as CBP determines necessary.

NOTE: In accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, CBP does not make hiring decisions based on an individual's religion. If you are offered a position, you may make a request for a religious accommodation through your immediate supervisor, following your entrance on duty, which will be evaluated in accordance with Federal law. As it pertains to you, if you are willing to make such a request, please indicate "Yes" to the following question.

Would you be able to work a schedule that could include changing your days off within the seven calendar days of Sunday through Saturday? (limit characters)
8. I have read the above Conditions of Employment and understand that these conditions are a requirement for appointment to a Customs and Border Protection Officer position.
I hereby certify to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information provided by me is true, correct, and complete and made in good faith. I understand that a false statement on any part of this inquiry may be grounds for not hiring me or for terminating me after I begin work. False or fraudulent information provided herein is also criminally punishable pursuant to Federal law, including 10 U.S.C.1001. (limit characters)
9. All CBP applicants are required to successfully complete a background investigation. You may be given an opportunity to start your career with CBP earlier, if you elect to enter on duty (EOD) with a provisional clear. A provisional clear is based on the successful completion of certain pre-employment investigation checks. The decision to enter on duty with a provisional clear, if made available, is your decision to make. Should you choose not to enter on duty in a provisional clear status, your application and eligibility for this position will not be negatively affected; however, your EOD date may be delayed. If you EOD with a provisional clear and your full background investigation is not successfully completed, you will be removed from the position with CBP.

If offered a position, do you elect to enter on duty (EOD) under a provisional clear status? (limit characters)
10. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has a residency requirement that applies to all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three (3) of the last five (5) years, before completing an application for CBP employment. Primary residence is defined as the place where an individual physically resides and the place from which he or she commutes to an official duty station. An individual may have more than one residence (including but not limited to a second home, a vacation home, or an investment property), but can establish only one primary residence. If hired for this position, you will be required to maintain your primary residence in the United States.

If you do not meet the residency requirement as stated above and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two (2) of the last five (5) years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency wavier by meeting one or more of the following conditions:
  1. Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
  2. A dependent of a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. Government
  3. Working as a contractor employee, a volunteer, consultant or an intern for the U.S. Government
  4. Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university

If selected for a position, you must provide documentation to support a request for an exception to the residency requirement.

Do you meet the U.S. Customs and Border Protection residency requirement? (limit characters)
11. In order to help us better understand our applicants, please select your highest education completed:
 (limit characters)
12. To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, CBP requires every employee to be reliable, trustworthy and fit for duty. To meet these standards, applicants will be required to undergo, and must successfully pass, a background investigation, a medical examination, a pre-employment fitness examination, a drug test, a structured interview and a polygraph examination in order to be placed into the CBP Officer position. Approximately one in ten applicants who receive a tentative offer of selection will successfully enter on duty as a CBP Officer.

I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information contained in my online application for Federal Employment is true, correct, complete, and made in good faith. I understand that a false or fraudulent answer to any question or item on any part of my online application may be grounds for not hiring me, or for firing me after I begin work, and may be punishable by fine or imprisonment or both (See section 1001 of title 18, United States Code).

By clicking '"Yes" below, I certify that the information I have provided is true to the best of my knowledge. (limit characters)
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